High performance model vehicle racetrack

ABSTRACT

A track section contains guide grooves for guiding model vehicles and electrical contacts for supplying power to the vehicle. The track section includes provision for rapid and positive mechanical and electrical interconnection with like adjacent track sections by registration of mating parts and simple lateral movement between sections. A single hook and a single corresponding opening on each end of the track section engage with mating elements on like adjacent track sections to permit connection therebetween. Enlarged guide areas appear at the ends of the guide grooves proximate the ends of the track section. The guide areas are in at least partial alignment with like guide areas of like adjacent track sections thereby permitting relatively smooth guidance of model vehicles from one of said track sections to another of said like adjacent track sections despite misalignment between the guide grooves of said track sections.

United States Patent [191 Martin Dec. 17, 1974 1 HIGH PERFORMANCE MODEL VEHICLE RACETRACK [75] Inventor: Donald E. Martin, Smithtown, NY.

[73] Assignee: Aurora Products Corp., West Hempstead, NY.

[22] Filed: June 8, 1973 [21] App]. No.: 368,015

[52] US. Cl. 104/60 [51] Int. Cl. A63g l/00, A63g 7/00, A63g 21/00 [58] Field 01" Search 104/60 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.140825 7/1964 Edmondson 104/60 3,206,l22 9/1965 Frisbie et a1. 104/60 Primary E.\'aminerLloyd L. King Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Amster & Rothstein 5 7 ABSTRACT A track section contains guide grooves for guiding model vehicles and electrical contacts for supplying power to the vehicle. The track section includes provision for rapid and positive mechanical and electrical interconnection with like adjacent track sections by registration of mating parts and simplelateral movement between sections. A single hook and a single corresponding opening on each end of the track sec tion engage with mating elements on like adjacent track sections to permit connection therebetween. Enlarged guide areas appear at the ends of the guide grooves proximate the ends of the track section. The guide areas are in at least partial alignment with like guide areas of like adjacent track sections thereby permitting relatively smooth guidance of model vehicles from one of said track sections to another of said like adjacent track sections despite misalignment between the guide grooves of said track sections.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEL SEC 1 71974 sum 1 or 2 Zulu.

i jmllll,

Ill..-

MT P PATH-M11558 H914 3.854.405

sum EM 2 1 FIG. 3

FIG. 4

HIGH PERFORMANCE MODEL VEHICLE RACETRACK The present invention relates generally to model racing vehicles, and in particular, to track sections for use therewith.

Of late, increasing popularity has been enjoyed by toy vehicle systems in which miniature versions of automobiles, trucks and other vehicles are guided about a pre-established course on a roadway which simulates a street or highway. Power is supplied to the model vehicles by conductors in the surface of the roadway or track with motors in the model vehicles contacting the conductors through brushes or the like.

In an effort at increasing the realistic appearance of the roadbed, both the guide means and the electrical conductors are concealed within the roadbed. Variations of simulated roadbeds include streets, highways and even high speed race courses. The latter have taken the form of track sections which may be assembled to simulate famous race courses with their wellknown turns, or, which may be assembled with various different-shaped sections to form as simple or convoluted a race course as suits the individual.

While numerous permanently assembled race courses and street and highway layouts for model vehicles exist, a large segment of purchasers of miniature motorized vehicles prefer to operate the vehicles on their own simulated race courses.

In catering to this desire for individually owned and operated race courses, it has become necessary to supply track or roadbed sections of various shapes which may be assembled and disassembled by the ultimate purchaser to form the roadbed configuration desired. In this manner, storage and handling of the roadbed is facilitated for the manufacturer, the retailer and the ultimate consumer. In addition, by purchasing only the track section configurations desired, a greater variety of roadbeds may be assembled by the purchaser.

Numerous model vehicle racetracks are available wherein the sections of the track are designed for end to end assembly forming a continuous roadbed surface. The roadbed surface which is formed includes means for guiding the miniature vehicles as well as means for providing continuous electric power thereto.

While many of the model vehicle roadbed sections on the market are generally satisfactory and provide guide means and means for supplying electric power for low speed operation of vehicles thereon, difficulties are often encountered when high speed operation of the vehicles is attempted. Often, due to manufacturing variations, incomplete or incorrect interconnection of track sections, wear or a combination of the aforementioned factors, the guide means of one track section does not align precisely with the guide means of the next like adjacent track section.

The result of misalignment between like adjacent track sections, due to whatever cause, is the loss of speed in a model vehicle traveling from one track section to another or the complete or partial disengagement of the model vehicle from the guide means of the track.

lt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved model vehicle track section which is capable of interconnection with like track sections resulting in a continuous roadbed which pemiits high speed movement of model vehicles from one track section to another adjacent track section despite misalignment of the track sections or their constituent parts.

Substantial high speed operation of model vehicles guided by track sections can'be facilitated and substantially all of the difficulty which occurs at the interface between two like adjacent track sections due to misalignment of the guide means thereof can be eliminated by the provision of a lead-in to guide or cam the vehicle from the guide means of one track section to the guide means of an adjacent track section despite misalignment therebetween.

Accordingly, it is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a track section for model vehicles which permits relatively high speed operation of model vehicles guided thereby without attendant interruption in travel normally associated with high speed operation between track sections which are less than perfectly aligned.

It is another object of the present invention to provice a model vehicle track construction which is simple in structure and use, reliable and durable throughout its life, capable of high speed guidance of model vehicles without substantial interruption of movement between like adjacent sections and which can be economically produced for sale at a resonable price.

In an illustrative embodiment demonstrating certain aspects of the invention, a track section for interconnection with like adjacent tracksections for guiding model vehicles is provided. The track section comprises an elongated body having at least one longitudinally extending guide means for guiding a model vehi- -cle with respect to the track section. Means are provided for removably interconnecting the track section with a like adjacent track section in a manner that the guide means of one of the like adjacent track sections substantially aligns with the guide means of the other of the like adjacent track sections. Lead-in means are constructed and arranged to at least partially align with corresponding lead-in means of a like adjacent track section for smoothly guiding a model vehicle from the guide means of one of the like adjacent track sections to the guide means of the other of the like adjacent track sections. This smooth guidance of a model vehicle from the guide means of one track section to the guide means of a second like adjacent track section is accomplished notwithstanding misalignment of the guide means of the respective like adjacent track sections.

As a feature of the invention the guide means within each track section is widened near the end thereof to form lead-in means in order that registration between the widened areas of the lead-in means is accomplished between like adjacent track sections despite lack of alignment between the guide means main portion, thereby ensuring trouble-free high speed movement of a model vehicle from one track section to the next like adjacent track section.

The above brief description as well as further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

F l0. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a representative form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view showing an adjacent pair of like track sections connected together in end-to-end relationship;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a track section embodying the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of an adjacent pair of like track sections connected together in end-to-end relationship showing misalignment between the guide means thereof.

Referring now specifically to the drawing and first to FIG. 1, there is shown an illustrative track section embodying features of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The track section includes a generally flat body 12 which may be formed of insulating material by any conventional method such as by being molded of plastic.

The body 12 may be of any shape or configuration including curved with portions thereof at different levels to form all or part of a banked curve or a portion of virtually any desired track configuration. However, for simplicity of description, the track section 10 and its body 12 are shown as being of a generally straight, elongated configuration having a substantially flat, elongated top wall 14 which serves as a running surface with upstanding longitudinally extending side walls 16, 18 depending therefrom.

End walls 20, 22 depend from the underside of one end of the top wall 14, extend partially thereacross and are set back from the edge of the top wall for a purpose to be described hereinafter. Each of the end walls 20, 22 has a central depending extension 24, 26, the bottom edge of which is coplanar with the bottom edge of the side walls 16, 18 for support of the track section 10 when resting upon a table top or the like (not shown).

Two longitudinally extending, upwardly facting guide grooves or channels 28, 30 are formed within the track section 10, have substantially parallel side walls, and extend the length of the track section 10, opening through the top walls 14 thereof and through the end walls 20, 22 respectively. Two narrower pairs of grooves 32, 34, 36, 38 are associated with and equally spaced from each of the grooves 28, 30 on either side thereof. The grooves 32, 34, 36, 38 likewise open through the end walls 20, 22.

Elongated conductor strips 40, 42, 44, 46, are inserted within and are coextensive with grooves 32, 34, 36, and 38 and supply positive and negative electrical connection to a source of electricity for powering a model vehicle in a conventional manner. Adjacent conductor strips 40, '42 and 44, 46 have tabs 48, 50 and 52, 54 on the ends thereof which are bent toward one another to provide electrical interconnection between adjacent track sections 10, 100 (see FIG. 2) when said track sections are interconnected in a manner to be described hereinafter.

Through only partial track sections 10, 10a are shown, it is to be understood that the ends of the track sections described in detail herein are substantially the same as the endsof the track sections not shown in the drawing. It should be noted, however, that the location of items on the ends 'of the track section not shown is not symmetrical about a longitudinal axis thereof. The items shown appear 'on the opposite end of the same track section on the opposite side of the longitudinal axis.

A generally rectangular projection 56 is located at the upper righthand corner of the track section 10 in a manner that its upper surface 58 is coplanar with the top wall 14, its side wall 60 being coplanar with the side wall 18 of the track section. The projection 56 includes a bottom surface 62 which is located above the bottom edge of the side walls 16, 18. As noted above, a similar projection (not shown) is located at the diagonally opposite end of track section 10 and is similarly aligned and arranged.

A hook 64 is located on the laterally inward surface 66 of the projection 56. The lower surface of the hook 64 is coplanar with the bottom surface 62 of the projection 56. A top surface 68 of the hook 64 is located below the top surface 58 of the projection 56. The hook 64 is thus located above the bottom edge of the track section 10 and below the top surface of the track section.

The hook 64 includes an upstanding, angled or oblique surface 70 on the inner surface thereof which assumes an obtuse included angle with respect to the laterally inward surface 66. There is a corresponding hook having a correspondingly angled surface on the diagonally opposite end of the track section 10.

A recess 72 appears on the same end of the track section 10 as the projection 56 at the laterally opposite side thereof. The recess 72 is bounded by two mutually perpendicular upstanding walls 74, 76 and a third mutually perpendicular laterally extending wall 78 which is parallel to the plane of the top wall 14 of the track section 10. The recess 72 is open on the other sides thereof and is approximately equal in size to the size of the projection 56. The wall 76, parallel to the side walls l6, 18 has an opening 78 therein which is constructed and arranged to receive a hook 64a (see FIG. 2) of a like adjacent track section 10a in a manner to be described hereinafter.

A lateral'detent 80, including a tongue 82 and a mouth 84, depends from the end of the top wall 14 and is constructed an arranged so that the tongue and mouth are equally distant from the longitudinal center of the top wall. The tongue 82 is attached to the top wall 14 by a rigid extension 86 which does not extend out beyond the edge of the top wall 14. The tongue 82 has an upper surface 88 which is located below the top wall 14 and has a lower surface 90 which is located above the lower edge of the side walls 16, 18.

The mouth 84 has two substantially parallel lips 92, 94 which depend from a rigid downward extension 96 which, in turn, depends from the top wall 14 without extending beyond the end thereof. The interior sides of the lips 92, 94 are spaced apart by an amount approximately equal to the lateral dimension of the tongue 82 in order that a tongue 82a of a like adjacent track section 10a (see FIG. 2) may be firmly held by the mouth 84, thereby normally preventing relative lateral move ment between like track sections which are engaged.

Somewhat funnel-shaped guide means 98, 100 appear at the end of each of the grooves 28, 30 respectively. The guide means 98, 100 are fashioned so that the narrow ends 102, 104 of the funnels are approximately the same width and in communication with the the ends of the track section for a purpose to be de scribed hereinafter.

In assembling two like track sections 10, 10a, a projection 56a of the track section 10a is aligned with the recess 72 of the track section 10. In a like manner, the projection 56 of track section 10 is aligned with the recess 72a of the track section 10a. The hook 64a of the track section 10a is inserted partially within the opening 78 of the track section 10a while the hook 64 of the track section 10 is inserted partially within the opening 78a of the track section 10a.

Upon the exertion of laterally opposite, inwardly directed forces on the track sections 10 and 10a urging them toward one another, the inclined surfaces 70, 70a of the hooks 64, 64a coact to draw the track sections 10, 10a together, thereby overcoming the detent action of the detents 80, 80a.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 2, the tongue 82 of the track section 10 resides within the mouth 84a of the track section 10a and the tongue 82a of the track section 10a resides within the mouth 84 of the track section 10. Relative lateral movement between track sections 10 and 10a of an accidental nature is thereby prevented and the oblique faces of the projections 64, 64a have resolved the lateral forces into longitudinal forces to draw the track sections 10, 10a together. At the same time, the conductor strip end pieces 48, 50, 52, 54 on track section 10 have made contact with their corresponding conductor strip end pieces 54a, 52a, 50a, 48a. Also, the grooves 28, of track section 10 have aligned with corresponding grooves 28a, 30a of track section 10a.

It will be noted that the angled nature of the tabs 48, 50, 52, 54 is such that a positive spring effect is created between said end tabs and the adjacent tabs 54a, 52a, 50a, 48a, of the track section 10a, and good electrical connection between the two track sections 10, 10a is thereby ensured. During the disassembly process, the different angle between adjacent tabs, e.g., 48, 54a of adjacent track sections 10, 10a, reduces the possibility of engagement between said adjacent tabs with the damage normally attendant thereto.

While FIG. 2 illustrates what is the normal and intended alignment between grooves 28, 28a and grooves 30, 300, such alignment will not always occur for a variety of reasons. Despite attempts at maintaining extremely close tolerances for manufacture of the track sections 10, 10a of the present invention, a certain variation of components is almost certain to occur. Among the reasons for variations would be the result of the normal tolerance which is permitted in the ordinary manufacturing processes.

If adjacent track sections 10, 10a were both within manufacturing tolerances but were both at opposite ends of the tolerances, misalignment between the grooves 28, 28a and 30, 30a can be expected.

While a slight misalignment between the grooves 28, 28a and 30, 30a can be overcome by the use of a relatively small guide pin in a vehicle to be carried by the track sections 10, 10a, too small a reduction in the guide pin would result in unstable movement of the vehicle to be guided. Consequently, the normal guide pin dimension approximates the transverse distance between the side walls of the grooves 28, 30.

If the aforementioned misalignment between the grooves 28, 28a or 30, 30a were to occur at the interface of two like adjacent track sections 10, 10a, the

guide pin would, of necessity, strike the edge of the groove 28, 30 in which it was being guided in making the transition from one track section to another. Interference of the sought just described, is, at best, productive of an annoying click lending an unnatural sound during use of a roadbed formed by assembly of a plurality of like adjacent track sections 10, 10a.

In addition, if the track section 10, are to be utilized in high speed race courses, the vehicles being used thereon would be slowed by striking the next adjacent track section in passing from one track section 10 to another like adjacent tract section 10a. In extreme cases, a vehicle may be jarred sufficiently by this interference to be knocked out of the guide groove and off of the track section.

The lead-in means 98, 100 of the present invention prevents the aforementioned difficulties with respect to passage from a guide groove 30a in a track section 10a to a guide groove 30 in a track section 10 which is not completely aligned therewith. The lead-in meansv 98, 100 of the present invention do not require perfect alignment between like adjacent track sections 10, 10a. Lead-in means 98, 100 of track section 10 need not be perfectly aligned with a lead-in means 98a, 100a of a like adjacent track section 10a (see FIG. 4).

As may be seen by reference to FIG. 4, a misalignment between the grooves 30, 30a of the track sections 10, 10a would normally result in a vehicle guide bar carried thereby being dislodged from the track. The lead-in means 98, 98a cause a vehicle guide bar, shown in phantom, to be lead from groove 30 to misaligned groove 30a by the alignment between the laterally enlarged ends of the lead-in means 98, 98a which do align.

While it is recognized that the lead-in means 98, 100 are shown herein having a specific configuration and relationship to the guide grooves 28, 30, it is recognized that any lead-in means configuration which accomplishes the intended purpose is considered to be within the scope of the invention as long as excessive play between like adjacent track sections is not encountered in a model vehicle moving from one of said sections to another.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention described may be used in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A track section for interconnection with like adjacent track sections for guiding a model vehicle, said track section comprising anelongated body having at least two ends and a running surface, at least one longitudinally extending guide means having at least two ends and being recessed within said track section for guiding a model vehicle with respect to said track section, means for removably interconnecting said track section with a like adjacent track section in a manner that the guide means of one of said like adjacent track sections substantially aligns with the guide means of the other said like adjacent track sections, lead-in means being located adjacent a track section end and also being located adjacent an end of said guide means, said lead-in means being constructed and arranged to at least partially align with a corresponding lead-in means of a like adjacent track section for smoothly guiding a model vehicle from the guide means of one of said like adjacent track sections to the guide means of the other of said like adjacent track sections notwithstanding misalignment of said respective guide means.

2. A track section for interconnection with like adjacent track sections for guiding a model vehicle, said track section comprising an elongated body having at least two ends and a running surface, at least one longitudinally extending guide means having at least two ends and recessed within said track section for guiding a model vehicle with respect to said track section, means for removably interconnecting said track section with a like adjacent track section in a manner that the guide means of one of said like adjacent track sections substantially aligns with the guide means of the other of said like adjacent track sections, lead-in means being constructed and arranged to at least partially align with a corresponding lead-in means of a like adjacent track section for smoothly guiding a model vehicle from the guide means of one of said like adjacent track sections to the guide means of the other of said like adjacent track sections not-withstanding misalignment of said respective guide means, said lead-in means being generally funnel-shaped and having a wide end and a narrow end, said narrow end being substantially transversely coextensive with said guide means and located adjacent an end thereof, said wide end being adjacent an end of said track section and constructed and arranged to be in at least partial alignment with the wide end of a like adjacent track section lead-in means, whereby a model vehicle running on said running surface and being guided by a guide means of said track section is smoothly guided to the guide means of a like adjacent track section despite misalignment between said guide means of said like adjacent track sections.

3. A track section for aligned, linear interconnection with like adjacent track sections for use in guiding model vehicles, said track section comprising an elongated body of insulating material having at least two ends, a top wall, having a running surface, with upstanding side walls depending therefrom, at least one longitudinally extending guide means formed within said track section below said top wall for use in guiding a model vehicle along said track section, a projection from each end of said track section, a laterally extending book being fixed to each of said projections, said hooks facing in laterally opposite directions, a recess in each end of said track section constructed and arranged to receive a corresponding projection of a like adjacent track section, a hook retaining means at each end of said track section spaced from the end thereof for releaseably engaging a corresponding laterally extending hook of a like adjacent track section, and de tent means located on each end of said track section for coacting with corresponding detent means of an interconnected like adjacent track section for normally maintaining said aligned linear relationship between said like adjacent track sections, said guide means including lead-in means recessed within said track section, cooperating with said guide means and constructed and arranged to at least partially align with corresponding lead-in means of a like adjacent track section for smoothly guiding a model vehicle from one of said track sections to a like adjacent track section despite misalignment between corresponding guide means of said like adjacent track sections.

4. A track section for model vehicles according to claim 3 wherein said guide means includes a longitudinally extending groove having substantially parallel side walls opening through saidtop wall, said lead-in means being located adjacent the end of said track section and having side walls which align with said guide means side walls on one end thereof and which diverge outwardly toward the end of said track section on the other end thereof.

5. A track section for model vehicles according to claim 3, said guide means including a channel having substantially parallel side walls opening through said top wall, said lead-in means being generally funnelshaped having a wide end and a narrow end, said narrow end being of substantially equal transverse extent with said channel and located adjacent the end thereof, said wide end of said funnel being of greater transverse extent than said channel and located adjacent the end of said track section, corresponding lead-in means of like adjacent track sections being constructed and arranged to define an enlarged guide area proximate the ends thereof. 

1. A track section for interconnection with like adjacent track sections for guiding a model vehicle, said track section comprising an elongated body having at least two ends and a running surface, at least one longitudinally extending guide means having at least two ends and being recessed within said track section for guiding a model vehicle with respect to said track section, means for removably interconnecting said track section with a like adjacent track section in a manner that the guide means of one of said like adjacent track sections substantially aligns with the guide means of the other said like adjacent track sections, lead-in means being located adjacent a track section end and also being located adjacent an end of said guide means, said lead-in means being constructed and arranged to at least partially align with a corresponding lead-in means of a like adjacent track section for smoothly guiding a model vehicle from the guide means of one of said like adjacent track sections to the guide means of the other of said like adjacent track sections notwithstanding misalignment of said respective guide means.
 2. A track section for interconnection with like adjacent track sections for guiding a model vehicle, said track section comprising an elongated body having at least two ends and a running surface, at least one longitudinally extending guide means having at least two ends and recessed within said track section for guiding a model vehicle with respect to said track section, means for removably interconnecting said track section with a like adjacent track section in a manner that the guide means of one of said like adjacent track sections substantially aligns with the guide means of the other of said like adjacent track sections, lead-in means being constructed and arranged to at least partially align with a corresponding lead-in means of a like adjacent track section for smoothly guiding a model vehicle from the guide means of one of said like adjacent track sections to the guide means of the other of said like adjacent track sections not-withstanding misalignment of said respective guide means, said lead-in means being generally funnel-shaped and having a wide end and a narrow end, said narrow end being substantially transversely coextensive with said guide means and located adjacent an end thereof, said wide end being adjacent an end of said track section and constructed and arranged to be in at least partial alignment with the wide end of a like adjacent track section lead-in means, whereby a model vehicle running on said running surface And being guided by a guide means of said track section is smoothly guided to the guide means of a like adjacent track section despite misalignment between said guide means of said like adjacent track sections.
 3. A track section for aligned, linear interconnection with like adjacent track sections for use in guiding model vehicles, said track section comprising an elongated body of insulating material having at least two ends, a top wall, having a running surface, with upstanding side walls depending therefrom, at least one longitudinally extending guide means formed within said track section below said top wall for use in guiding a model vehicle along said track section, a projection from each end of said track section, a laterally extending hook being fixed to each of said projections, said hooks facing in laterally opposite directions, a recess in each end of said track section constructed and arranged to receive a corresponding projection of a like adjacent track section, a hook retaining means at each end of said track section spaced from the end thereof for releaseably engaging a corresponding laterally extending hook of a like adjacent track section, and detent means located on each end of said track section for coacting with corresponding detent means of an interconnected like adjacent track section for normally maintaining said aligned linear relationship between said like adjacent track sections, said guide means including lead-in means recessed within said track section, cooperating with said guide means and constructed and arranged to at least partially align with corresponding lead-in means of a like adjacent track section for smoothly guiding a model vehicle from one of said track sections to a like adjacent track section despite misalignment between corresponding guide means of said like adjacent track sections.
 4. A track section for model vehicles according to claim 3 wherein said guide means includes a longitudinally extending groove having substantially parallel side walls opening through said top wall, said lead-in means being located adjacent the end of said track section and having side walls which align with said guide means side walls on one end thereof and which diverge outwardly toward the end of said track section on the other end thereof.
 5. A track section for model vehicles according to claim 3, said guide means including a channel having substantially parallel side walls opening through said top wall, said lead-in means being generally funnel-shaped having a wide end and a narrow end, said narrow end being of substantially equal transverse extent with said channel and located adjacent the end thereof, said wide end of said funnel being of greater transverse extent than said channel and located adjacent the end of said track section, corresponding lead-in means of like adjacent track sections being constructed and arranged to define an enlarged guide area proximate the ends thereof. 